Anyone who lived through the 90s knows how iconic the tattoos were back then, well, almost every tattoo… Some were especially cringe.
They were mostly influenced by famous celebrities, like Pamela Anderson’s barbed wire tattoo. As all trends eventually circle back, the same happens with tattoos!
It’s time to bring back some cool 90s tattoos that are now probably even cooler. Here are 22 tattoos that were trending in the 90s and had us all in a chokehold!
1. Tribal Tattoo
If you had a tribal tattoo you were considered really cool and pretty much the same goes on now. They are bold, aesthetic, and mostly seen on the stomach/lower back.
2. Barbed Wire Tattoo
I’m not sure what was it about barbed wire but everyone loved it! It was either a barbed wire wrapped around the arm or leg or this. However, barbed hearts are in again!
3. Chinese Characters Tattoo
Chinese characters were really a common choice for a tattoo and you could see it on many people. The only problem with them is that only a few people knew what tattoo they actually had. So just be careful that your word “love” isn’t actually something like “soup” in Chinese!
4. Butterflies Tattoo
I think butterflies never really weren’t trending but they kind of became popular in the 90s and then the trend just spread out from there. I mean who wouldn’t love them? They are beautiful, come in tons of different variations, and also carry a deep meaning!
5. Sun And Moon Tattoo
This tattoo is definitely becoming a common choice again! The sun and moon represent the duality of human nature but also the balance and harmony between those, just like yin and yang.
6. Dolphin Tattoo
Ohh, everyone was crazy about dolphins! Even as kids we would get these temporary sticker tattoos of them and the most common placement was the ankle. I don’t know why but everyone was getting dolphin tattoos on their ankle.
7. Looney Tunes Tattoo
Looney Tunes was a big part of our childhood so it’s not surprising people were getting Looney Tunes characters tattooed. This Bugs Bunny looks really cute in this tattoo though!
8. Yin Yang Tattoo
As I said, just like the sun and moon tattoo, yin and yang have very similar meanings. This tiny but very symbolic circle was a really popular tattoo choice in the 90s and again now.
9. Celtic Knot Tattoo
Celtic knot is another symbol people loved getting tattooed because of its symbolic meaning. It represents the interconnection between birth, life, death, and rebirth.
10. Roses Tattoo
Roses were tattoos you could often see on many people. They weren’t only a tattoo on their own, but were also added to many other designs like skulls for example.
11. Playboy Bunny Tattoo
Playboy Bunny is one of those cringe tattoos I mentioned at the beginning. I mean I’m not judging, but come on girl, you can do so much better than this.
12. Sunflower Tattoo
Sunflowers are unique flowers that many people love for their bright yellow color associated with happiness and positivity. Hence, they were popular tattoo choice in the 90s but many people get them tattooed today as well.
13. Dragonfly Tattoo
Dragonflies are symbols of transformation, rebirth, and new beginnings. Also since kids in the 90s still actually played outside, these were the insects that could often be seen by rivers and lakes so many people associated them with their childhoods.
14. Stars Tattoo
This picture is great because it literally shows the star tattoos that were popular in the 90s (the ones on the shoulder) and the ones that are popular right now. You could say that only their format changed but yeah, people still get star tattoos often.
15. Skull With Roses Tattoo
The good old skull with roses. This was sooo popular and everyone was crazy about it. It was mostly a tattoo of choice for men to show their macho and gentle side but women loved it as well.
16. Lower Back Tattoo
It would be a crime not to include lower back tattoos on the list of most popular 90s tattoos! These were the tattoos only real baddies had and honestly, it’s the same now.
17. Infinity Symbol Tattoo
The infinity symbol is such a 90s tattoo! Before it was just a plain infinity symbol symbolizing endless love but now people get it more personalized and insert initials or names of their loved ones.
18. Dreamcatcher Tattoo
Dreamcatchers were popular as well, not only because they are symbolic but also really beautiful. We not only had them tattooed on our bodies but also hanging around our bedroom, protecting us from bad dreams.
19. Anchor Tattoo
For some people, these anchor tattoos simply represent the sea and their love for it. For others, they symbolize stability, strength, and a reminder to stay grounded.
20. Anklet Tattoo
Women loved anklets so much that they decided to have permanent ones by getting them tattooed! There are so many different designs to choose from but the ones that are the most popular today are definitely floral anklets!
21. Zodiac Tattoo
Everyone was obsessed with the zodiac in the ’90s – so much so that people used to get their zodiac signs tattooed on their skin. I know people still do that, but it’s only because that trend is returning back.
22. Fire Tattoo
Tattoos in the 90s were all about that cool, edgy vibe. So you can only imagine how crazy people were about fire/flame tattoos! They’re still pretty cool and it’s no wonder they’re back!